Diabetes decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have peripheral neuropathy and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The veteran's low back disorder, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and diabetes mellitus are not service-connected. The initial disability ratings for PTSD (30%), bilateral hearing loss (0%), and diabetes mellitus (20%) have been denied.

The veteran's claim for a TDIU rating was received by the RO on August 6, 2002. The effective date assigned is August 6, 2002.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective from September 11, 2006. The diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, cataract, tinea cruris, and bilateral upper extremity and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is rated at 20 percent.

The veteran's disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and left shoulder arthritis, are rated at a combined 80 percent. The veteran is entitled to special monthly pension at the housebound rate.

The veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board has determined that the veteran's erectile dysfunction is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, has been treated without a requirement of insulin or regulation of activities since service connection was established in January 2004. The criteria for an initial rating higher than 20 percent have not been met.

The VA denied an increased evaluation for diabetes mellitus, type II, as the evidence did not show that it required insulin or a restricted diet.

The Board has determined that the VA's duties to notify and assist have not been fulfilled for this issue, and thus the case is being returned to the RO/AMC for further development.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's unspecified lymphatic condition, diabetes mellitus, asthma, and kidney condition due to exposure to herbicides in service.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, a gunshot wound to the left knee, residuals of open heart surgery with titanium plates, and bilateral hearing loss. The veteran's claims were based on his claimed in-service stressors as a POW in North Korea, but there was no credible evidence supporting these claims.

The Board finds that the veteran is not entitled to an effective date earlier than May 13, 2005 for the establishment of service connection for diabetes mellitus.

The Board found no evidence of the veteran's service in Vietnam or any covert mission that would qualify him for the presumption of exposure to Agent Orange. The claim was denied as there is no official record showing he served in Vietnam and no presumptive conditions apply.

The veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at St. Joseph's Medical Center on April 24, 2005 were denied as the treatment was for a non-emergent condition and VA facilities were feasibly available.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus was rated at 20 percent from May 8, 2001 until his death in January [redacted], 2002. The Board found that the evidence did not show any requirement for regulation of activities due to diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of diabetes mellitus, type II was granted. The earliest available effective date is July 6, 2001.

The veteran's death was caused by arrhythmia, with contributing conditions of diabetes mellitus, end stage renal disease, and hypertension. The service-connected disabilities likely contributed to the veteran's fall that led to his left femoral neck fracture and subsequent hospitalization.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, has been granted an increased initial evaluation from 20 percent to 40 percent effective October 22, 2004.

The veteran's death was not caused by or substantially or materially contributed to by a disability incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service.